A hot, but mercifully overcast, afternoon in August provided a first opportunity to visit a public garden since the Covid-19 pandemic came along to disrupt all our lives. The Abbeywood Estate is a popular Cheshire wedding venue, and its 6 acres of formal and informal gardens are packed with interest and inspiration. A delicious lunch in the beautiful surroundings of the Rose Garden set the tone for an uplifting exploration of creative planting.
Naturalistic
Swimming Wild at Ellicar Gardens
Who amongst us has not had the urge, during a long hot summer, to plunge into the cool waters of a shimmering pool? Gloriously, our garden designer, Jane had the opportunity to do precisely this while visiting Ellicar Gardens, near Doncaster, with the Society of Garden Designers North West Group, on a flawless day last June. This beautiful naturalistic garden is found at the family home of Sarah Murch, a co-founder of the company Ensata which specialises in the design and build of natural pools and swimming ponds. Sarah welcomed the group with a tour of the gardens which have been designed to provide a haven for wildlife. Entering via a beautiful enclosed area offered a tantalising and unexpected glimpse of the wonderful natural swimming pool which sits at the heart of the gardens.